Identity Across the United States Professional Clinical Counseling is one of several behavioral health professions requiring state licensure for employment in behavioral health settings and independent practice. In California this license is identified as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Throughout the United States titles vary and are listed as outlined below in Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors: A State-by-State Report (2012):

License PortabilityDespite the differences in title, California’s LPCC licensure is generally portable across the United States.

LPCC Practice INCLUDES:California requirements for LPCC were designed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to meet national standards. Scope of practice as set forth in the Business and Professions Code Section 4999.20 is summarized below.

Assessments LPCCs assessclients for the purpose of establishing counseling goals and objectives to empower them to deal adequately with life situations, reduce stress, experience growth, change behaviors, and make well-informed decisions.

(1)Internship hours must include 500 hours of documented, supervised experience working directly with couples, families, or children.

(2)Continuing education credits must include a minimum of six (6) hours specific to marriage and family therapy in each renewal cycle.

LPCC Practice EXCLUDES:

Counseling professions that do not meet BBS standards are considered non-clinical and are excluded from LPCC licensure. Such professions include but are not limited to school counselor, church pastor, and life coach.

LPCCs are prohibited from using some assessment instruments, such as individual intelligence tests, as delineated in California law.